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Swooning over YA Boys (Four/ Tobias)

Wednesday, August 08, 2012

This feature is originally called Boys in Books are Just Better, but I have decided that writing that in the title section of the post is sort of a mouthful so I'm shortening the title, but leaving the feature name. This feature is where I get to tell you all about the fictional boy I am currently gushing about. My current crush is Tobias (Four) from Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth.

If you've read Divergent, you definitely know what I am talking about when I say that Four is someone to gush about. For those of you who have not read Divergent yet, please go out and read the book because it will knock your socks off; it will rock your world.

Tobias is simply awesome and here's why:

He's a fighter: Four is introduced to us as part of the Dauntless faction, a part of the society where the main personality trait is fearlessness. Most of the people in the faction jump off trains to get places and fight to the death for fun (well, maybe not the last part but it seems like it). Tobias is helping out with the training for the new Dauntless members. He has, not only, awesome skill and, I'm sure, looks great in fighting gear, but also has the type of patience that I am jealous of. There is a scene in Divergent, where he is throwing knives and just the thought of his gracefulness with the blades are sexy.

Four is vulnerable and extremely relatable: There is something attractive about making the character feel alive to the reader. Veronica Roth did that exactly. Tobias is named Four for a reason. His name is a huge sign of his vulnerability, of how much fear he has. Not only in his name, but when playing a heated game of Capture the Flag, Four shows Tris that he is afraid of heights. Such a fear is very common, but being able to admit it takes guts. This is why he is such a relatable character. Tobias has family issues, but that doesn't stop him from standing up for himself, not only in the Fear Landscape but also in reality. When people are vulnerable, the supporting role could feel pity for the character, but in the case of Four, we know that Tobias is a strong character. Tobias has flaws and not being a perfect guy makes him sound that much more real.

He is sort of a geek: This guy has a way with computers. It is just an adorable quality of his that makes me want to swoon. Plus, being originally from the Abnegation faction, Four is respectable. Sure, he may be a jerk (when his mind is taken over by a computer system telling him that all his friends are really enemies or when he listens to his mother over his own girlfriend), but the boy is totally swoon-worthy.

If his fantastic qualities does not make you want to swoon, then you need to hear him for yourself. Here are some adorable quotes from, both, Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth:

"For the first time, he looks as young as he is, and I wonder who he really is. Who is he when he isn't Dauntless, isn't an instructor, isn't Four, isn't anything in particular?

Whoever he is, I like him."

-Divergent by Veronica Roth, p. 288

"When he touches me, I feel like everywhere his skin meets mine is changed by the connection. It sends a thrill through my stomach. Not just fear. Something else, too. A wanting."

-Divergent by Veronica Roth, p. 404

"'You were right,' Tobias says quietly, balancing on the balls of his feet. he smiles a little. 'I do know who you are. I just needed to be reminded.'"

-Insurgent by Veronica Roth. p. 521

Boys are just better in books. Well, at least Four is definitely better than any boy I have ever met in real life. Tobias is just awesome and maybe he doesn't make for a fantastic boyfriend, but he definitely fun to talk about. Did you like Four/ Tobias? Are you swooning over him now?

I'm Jeanna!

I love books, coffee, cute planners, blogging, and everything in between. I don't want you to miss out on the fantastic books out there, which is why I talk about books and write reviews. My reviews may include lame jokes and a side of sass, that make you feel like you are sitting down with an good, old friend for coffee. So grab a seat and let's get chatting.